Free Wintertainment

It's -42 degrees with the wind chill. Everything is closed. A perfect day to stay inside and watch some free Winnipeg-made programming.

Less Than Kind: I have a soft spot for this sitcom, not just because "One Great City!" is the theme song, and not just because it uses the iconic Confusion Corner traffic sign as its logo. It presents a world populated by characters who are all flawed and funny and likeably unlikeable, against a backdrop of Winnipeg in all her slushy working-class beauty. Episode 7 is a personal fave - where else in prime time would you hear a Jewish teenager make a speech in Tagalog? Season Two launches soon - so this is a good time to catch up on Season One episodes - all available for free online!

The Big Snit: Even if you haven't watched this nine-minute animation by Richard Condie in 25 years, I bet you can still quote lines from it. "Stop shakin' yer eyes!" Definitely worth watching again.

Souvenirs: Filmmaker Paula Kelly created these three short films during a stint as artist-in-residence at the City of Winnipeg Archives. I especially like Waiting for the Parade for its shots of girls doing cartwheels on sapling-lined streets.

The Weakerthans videos: Start with Our Retired Explorer - for a taste of Manitoba's big chill without leaving your cosy living room. Don't know which is cuter, John K. Samson's handlebar moustache or the stuffed penguin.

Archie and His Friends: Do you remember rushing home from school to watch Uncle Bob and Archie Wood at lunchtime? Those were the days, before Treehouse on Demand, PVRs and ADD.

My Winnipeg trailer: A two-minute taste of Guy Maddin's weirdly wonderful homage to Winnipeg.